Chapter 204 - 99: Undercurrents
In Jing Hang’s urban development plan for Sunagakure, he had clearly proposed the "Three Centers" theory: the Moon Lake New Area as the agricultural and industrial hub, Sunagakure Proper as the political center, and the Yuexi Peninsula as the economic center.
However, this did not mean that Sunagakure Proper was left undeveloped. In these years of peace, the urbanization of Sunagakure Proper had progressed rapidly. Through the engineering project of expanding underground river channels, the village’s long-standing water shortage problem was resolved. With water, the residential areas could be expanded. In just six years, the size of Sunagakure doubled, nearly matching the size of Konohagakure. The village’s greening efforts also bore fruit, transforming it from a place prone to sandstorms into a much more habitable environment. Though it still bore the title of "village," it had essentially become a small city.
And like any city, it came with its share of shadows.
Sunagakure’s 12th District, Bar Street
In the basement of a bar named Autumn Breeze Drunkenness, a secret meeting was underway.
The space was small, about forty to fifty square meters, with simple furnishings: a large round table and a dozen chairs. The attendees all wore white masks and white robes, their appearance eerie and mysterious under the dim lighting.
"It seems the plan must be accelerated. Yi Ji, someone like Eizo should’ve been recruited into the organization long ago. His reckless actions may appear to have achieved significant results, but they’ve thrown the situation into chaos," said the person seated at the head of the table, evidently the leader.
"Sir, I did consider recruiting Eizo, but he worked in the Intelligence Division. After the anti-corruption campaign, he became disheartened and aimless. I thought he was a lost cause. Who could’ve predicted he’d pull off such a bold move?"
The one addressed as Yi Ji spoke with a hint of regret, her voice suggesting she was an older woman.
"Young people are like volcanoes—either they die in silence, or they erupt in fury. He may have vented his frustrations, but his actions have left us in a precarious position," the leader said, shaking his head.
"Still, his feat did remove the biggest obstacle to our operation. That’s a good thing, isn’t it?" someone seated further down the table suggested.